Aglaonema plant named `Jubilee`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema named `Jubilee` particularly characterized by its freely branching, dense and upright growth habit; dark green prominently marked leaves having distinctive silver green chevrons; rapid growth rate; and resistance to diseases common to Aglaonema.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant, botanically known as Aglaonema hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Jubilee.`

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Valkaria, Fla. The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in January, 1984 between the nonpatented Aglaonema nitidum f. curtisii as the female, or seed, parent with the nonpatented Aglaonema hybrida `Manilla`. The cultivar `Jubilee` was discovered and selected by the inventor in February, 1986, as a plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Valkaria, Fla.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by division at Valkaria, Fla., has shown that the unique features of this new Aglaonema plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

The new Aglaonema has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and fertilizer rate, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Zolfo Springs, Fla., under a polypropylene-covered shadehouse and conditions which closely approximate those used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Jubilee`. These characteristics in combination distinguish `Jubilee` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Plants of the new Aglaonema are intermediate in size and are freely branching, dense, compact and upright in growth habit.

2. The abaxial leaf surfaces of the new Aglaonema are dark green, and boldly marked, having silver green centers, and very prominent silver green chevrons.

3. The leaves of the new Aglaonema are ovate in shape. The base of the leaf is relatively wide and the apex is distinctively tapered to a point, particularly on large mature growth.

4. Plants of the new Aglaonema have a rapid growth rate.

5. Plants of the new Aglaonema are exceptionally resistant to diseases common to Aglaonema.

Plants of the new Aglaonema can be compared to plants of the nonpatented Aglaonema cultivar Maria which are a similar leaf color pattern. However, plants of the new Aglaonema have more and larger leaves that are distinctly marked with silver green compared to plants of the cultivar `Maria.` In addition, plants of the new Aglaonema grow considerably larger and wider than plants of the cultivar `Maria.`

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors are true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The first photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typical single plant of `Jubilee` in a 26-cm container about 16 months after planting a single four-leaf cutting.

The second photograh comprises a close-up view of the abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) surfaces of a mature leaf and illustrates the detail of the leaf color pattern.

Leaf colors in the photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Aglaonema hybrida cultivar `Jubilee.`

Parentage:

Seed or female parent.--Aglaonema nitidum f. curtisii (not patented).

Pollen or male parent.--Aglaonema hybrida `Manilla` (not patented).

Propagation: Asexual propagation by division or tissue culture.

Plant description:

Plant shape.--Intermediate in size, outwardly spreading, symmetrical, freely branching, dense and compact in growth habit.

Growth habit.--Relatively erect when young, becoming more outwardly spreading as leaves develop.

Plant size.--Height: Soil surface to top of leaf canopy: Approximately 53 to 60 cm. Soil surface to junction of the petioles of the last two unrolled leaves: Approximately 17 to 20 cm. Width: Approximately 80 to 85 cm.

Root description.--Thick white roots with fine laterals.

Stem description.--Upright. Diameter, 5 cm above the soil surface: Approximately 1.5 to 1.7 cm. Internode length, 3 cm above the soil surface: Approximately 1.4 to 1.6 cm. Color: 147A with areas of 146B.

Petiole description.--The following description is based on the fourth expanded leaf from the apex. Growth pattern: The petiole has fleshy edges extending from the midrib that are referred to as wings. Wings extended from the base of the petiole to approximately 1.9 to 7.2 cm below the base of the leaf. The wings are about 6 to 8 mm wide midway from the petiole base to the wing apex. The wing apex is acute. The petiole follows the stem axis but diverges from the axis about 11.6 to 14 cm from the leaf base, forming a horizontal distance from the vertical axis of the stem to the leaf base of approximately 4.5 to 7.2 cm. Dimensions: The petiole is straight from its base to the tip of the wings, and often curved between the tip of the wings and the base of the leaf. The petiole is approximately 5 to 7 mm in diameter midway between the wing apex and the base of the leaf. The petiole is approximately 16.2 to 18.5 cm in length from its base to the base of the leaf. Color: The petiole wings and petiole midrib are 137C becoming 147A with age. The petiole wings and midrib are sparsely streaked and spotted with 147D.

Axillary breaks.--There are approximately 20 axillary breaks with at least one leaf expanded. First leaves will show true color and color pattern.

Leaf description.--Growth pattern: The leaf is ovate in shape with an acute to acuminate apex and a cordate base. The lobes of the leaf base are distinctively wavy and frequently curled downward. The margin is entire. The leaf is asymmetric with the side of the leaf unrolling first having less surface area than the side unrolling last. The leaf is oriented parallel to the stem axis at the time of full unrolling, changing to approximately 30 to 40 degrees from vertical stem axis as more leaves unroll above it. The midrib is curved downward over the length of the leaf. The leaf blade is flat from the midrib to the margin and often somewhat wavy along the margin. Dimensions: For the pot size and growing time indicated, the largest leaves are approximately 27.0 to 29.6 cm long and approximately 11.6 to 12.5 cm wide. Average sized leaves are approximately 24.6 to 26 cm long and approximately 9.7 to 10.7 cm wide. The leaf blade is relatively thick and leathery in texture with a matte to slightly glossy surface. Midrib: The midrib is thick and prominent, recessed on the abaxial leaf surface and prominent on the adaxial surface. Primary veins: The primary veins are sunken into the abaxial surface and slightly prominent on the adaxial surface. The primary veins are the same color as the tissue surrounding them. The leaf blade is convex between the primary veins. Color pattern: The abaxial leaf surfaces are dark green in base color, with a silver green center and silver green chevron-shaped markings. Faint silver green blotches mark the center of the leaf, and are most visible on newly emerged leaves. The adaxial leaf surface is entirely medium green. Color: Mature leaf, abaxial surface: Base color: Darker and greener than 147A. Leaf center and silver green chevon-shaped markings: 191A. Faint silver green blotches: 191C/191D. Midrib: 191A with streaks of 147A near the junction of the leaf blade and petiole. Mature leaf, adaxial surface: Base color: 147B. Midrib: 147B with occasionally streaks and spots of 147C. Newly opened leaf, abaxial surface: Base color: Greener than 147A. Leaf center and silver green chevon-shaped markings: 191B. Faint silver green blotches: 191C. Midrib: 191B with streaks of 147A near the junction of the leaf blade and petiole. Newly opened leaf, adaxial surface: Base color: 147B/147C. Midrib: 147B/147C.

Inflorescence.--Typical of Aglaonema, no commercial significance.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Aglaonema `Jubilee` is a freely branching, intermediate-sized variety having dense, compact, upright growth, and distinctive dark green foliage prominently marked with silver green chevrons. Plants of `Jubilee` have a rapid growth rate and are exceptionally resistant to disease. These characteristics in combination make `Jubilee` a unique and distinct new cultivar. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named `Jubilee`, as illustrated and described. 